SF 49ers: Predicting Week 1 depth chart after final roster cuts

SF 49ers Cornerbacks

Left Corner: Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett

Right Corner: Emmanuel Moseley, Ahkello Witherspoon

Nickel: K’Waun Williams

San Francisco elected to keep five cornerbacks on the 53-man roster, which makes some sense given both Tarvarius Moore and Jimmie Ward can double as backups if they have to.

Richard Sherman is entrenched as the starter on the left side of the formation. But the opportunity to start opposite him is still quite in the air. For much of camp, veteran corner Jason Verrett appeared to be the favorite and was seeing plenty of time with the first-team unit. A late hamstring injury, although minor, cast some doubt whether or not this will still happening, which suggests Emmanuel Moseley, the player who started here in both the NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl, gets the nod to start the season.

There was speculation fourth-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon wouldn’t make the 53-man roster after his up-and-down career stretching into training camp.

But Witherspoon is there, at least for now.

Perhaps the bigger concern is ensuring nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams, who was also banged up in camp, stays healthy during the regular season. Moseley and Ward can play here, too, although the SF 49ers defense is notably better with Williams on the field.